Mobile computing is big business, which implies that the market for mobile communications technology is also rather large. Psion Dacom has a healthy share of that market, and looks set to grab more with the launch of this new card, which offers up to five different functions in a conventional PC Card (PCMCIA) or 32-bit CardBus format. In its basic form, the Gold Card NetGlobal is a 56Kbps, V.90-compliant fax modem, combined with a 10Mbps Ethernet adapter. It has two sockets at the side, and two cables are provided. One of these is a standard telephone line, while the other has an RJ45 Ethernet socket at the end, along with a pair of status LEDs. Designed as a truly mobile solution, the Gold Card NetGlobal is approved for use in the majority of the world's industrialised nations and comes with software drivers for the current versions of Windows.

For many users, the basic fax modem / Ethernet card will suffice, but some will want more, particularly those with GSM mobile phones. The Gold Card NetGlobal can be upgraded to GSM quite easily, although you'll have to specify exactly which mobile phone you have in order to get the right cable. Apart from the cable, though, all that's needed is the necessary flash memory upgrade to the card, which will then allow you to send and receive data over the GSM network. The card automatically knows whether it is connected to a land-line or GSM phone thanks to the firmware in the cable.

The upgrade path doesn't have to stop there, though. For those users who want it, Psion Dacom can also supply and ISDN upgrade pack, which will provide digital communications at speeds up to 128Kbps using the basic rate interface. This adapter module, pictured next to the card below, looks something like a soap-on-a-rope, and is rather bulky in comparison with the Gold Card itself. But it is compatible with all the major international ISDN standards, and so may be useful to travellers needing high speed digital communications wherever they go.

Verdict
This is a building-block solution for mobile users. That flexibility, combined with outstanding build quality, means that the Gold Card NetGlobal should prove to be a useful, reliable tool for people on the move.

Company: Psion Dacom

Contact: 01908 261686

Tags: gsm mobile phone iphone mobile computing subscriber identity module apple at&t iphone 4